Fine. ― After breakfast, J.B.E. came ― & thereby lots of talk. He has really thrown up his appointment, &, as the Hunter’s have their house full, will go to Lpool tomorrow. He seems to hesitate about Corfû & Aldershot ―: I think, if the thing is to be broken off ― the furthest ˇ[off] he goes & ˇ[for] the longer time ― the better. It is a miserable affair altogether.

After he went came C. Fortescue: ― & after him, theFergusson: who looked at pictures & sketches for an hour. Worked ― but only by fits at the Cedars. I greatly wish I were away, & had some thorough change.

Then restessness: sleep. X. X

Later, worked a little: & at 4.30, came Mrs. J. Godley ― (& Dennis Godley,). ― But I did not go out at all, ― morning up & down the rooms, & I wish I had music of some sort to play.

So I dined at home on cold beef & beer. Came letters ― (wh. I answered,) from Leycester Penrhyn: ― Mr. Penrhyn is dying, ― it was in 1835 ― 26 years ago ― he took me to Ireland.

Lightish, brightish. ―― Foord’s men came & fixed in the Bethlehem & Interlaken & [seamed] & moved the Lebanon. Worked off & on ― but was not well, & slept a good bit. John Blencowe came. ― Later Sir Walter & Lady James, both whom were very nice & pleasant. She is assuredly a delight. ― At 4.30 walked to Mrs. E. Stanley’s: ― Mr. Penrhyn is worse. ― Had hair cut: Fearon there. ― Home to dress & at 7.30 to Sir Walter James.

But I found at home a most grievous & sad letter from J.B.E. ― who has thrown up his appointment & is going into foreign service! Nothing has vexed me as much for a long time.

Sir W.’s dinner was really pleasant

Gladstone was really charming ― talked of Corfû ― & Athens, &c. After dinner music: ἀλλὰ δὲν ἐτραγούδισα ἐγὼ. ((But I did not sing (NB).)) ― Called at James’s club ― not there: at his lodgings ― but found him asleep: so I left a card only.

More or less dark all day. ― Worked a little at Beirût, & ceased for the present, ― replacing it above the chimney, & the Damascus below: removing also all the other easels & tables. Mrs. & Miss Clarke came, no one else; but G. Middleton after I had gone out, & R. Martineau when I came back at 6.30. Besides these, Daddy Hunt for a short time.

At 7¾ to Carlton Gardens: ― Mr. H. as young & well as if he were 40 ἀντὶ ((Rather than (NB).)) 76. Lady W. well ― but it appeared to me ― I had written an over long letter. Anyhow she was “fine” ― & I became glum. Genl. & Mrs. Malcolm. H.J. Genfell ― Bidwell ˇ[C. Braham] ― & a younger Peel: besides the 2 Miss Moneys. I sate between Peel & Bidwell, & was bored to death. The upper part of the table’s converse was utter frivolity. ―

In the evening Miladi talked wholly to Bidwell & Grenfell. I ― to Mrs. Malcolm.

Col. Hornby came: ― it is sad to see him, so aged, & so unoccupied. Penrhyn I fear is dying. ―

Later, James Edwards ― who is in better phase. He has been to Lady T. Leavis ― & is to go to Lady Palmerston’s to night. All this is right, as he has decided to stay here. I cannot altogether make out Miss L.’s views towards him ― or probably she can’t herself: yet I suppose by all this, that they give him a chance willingly.

Dined at the W. Beadons ― only W.F.B., & Mrs. B. he is sadly ill. She, better than usual. ―

He is also greatly excited & angry at times, & one sees that she suffers in many ways. ―

Small annoyances have had little hold on me lately, ― but a twice sent bill is one, ― & such came in to day. But I found it paid in Hansen’s book ― luckily. ―

A most charming evening wholly. ― The Digby Wyatts themselves there is no need of praising. Ferguson is delightful from fun as well ˇ[from] as [sic] every kind of knowledge: Russell & Thornton both intellectual. Afterwards I sang 6 or 7 songs.